Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy
(KA10032)

Overview
The UTAR's Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme offered by the Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) is the Faculty's principal research degree for postgraduate students. The PhD programme provides solid grounding in research capabilities for the postgraduate students. It is academically demanding and requires strong level of commitment and perseverance from the candidates.

The PhD programme aims to develop research capabilities in areas that have a significant impact on the nation's competitiveness. Interdisciplinary research focus is highly encouraged. The candidates must be able to demonstrate scholarly activities that lead to original, independent and significant contribution to knowledge.


PhD Program Philosophy
The PhD programme in FAM emphasizes the application of research methods and procedures to issues of importance to the business world. The programme builds on the premise that practice in the field of business must be scientifically based, continually responsive to service and practice needs, and is interdisciplinary. The mission also includes a continuing and systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of business application, service and professional practice.
Program Objectives
The primary goal of the program is to provide students with an opportunity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field and the profession in order to provide more effective and efficient application and services in the corporate. The program is aimed at providing students with the opportunity to develop their professional knowledge and expertise to a high caliber and to qualify for leadership positions in teaching, in research, in administration and management, in policy analysis and program development,
The objectives of the program are for students to acquire

A broad analytic understanding of major policy and practice trends and issues from the field of business, accounting to the world economic issues.
Substantive knowledge of some field or area of practice (e.g., corporate governance, accounting, auditing, international business, finance, marketing and minority groups) with emphasis on issues and questions in that field which require scientific or scholarly attention.
Competence to conduct independent, empirical research that extends the knowledge base of practice with the local and foreign companies.


Graduates of the program are expected to make a significant contribution to the field and the profession through their own continued research, writing, teaching, and practice.

Mode of Study
By research (Structure A)

The research-based PhD programme, with research areas ranging from Management, Finance, and International Business to Accounting, entails a specific programme of appropriate supervised research. The programme has the objective of training candidates in research methodology and techniques and in the critical evaluation of the research work carried out. Candidates are also required to apply and evaluate different methodologies and techniques.

The research work culminates in the production of a PhD thesis with the relevant research papers.

To assist the candidates in research methodology and techniques, candidates are required to complete the following units:
1) Business Research Methodology and
2) Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

Medium of Instruction
English

Duration
Full time: Minimum 24 months
Part time: Minimum 36 months

Intakes
Registration for study is opened throughout the year

Programme Structure
Structure A (by Research)
Subject Name
Business Research Methodology
Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
Thesis


Research Areas
Supervision by recognised researchers can be provided in the following areas:
Accounting, Management, Corporate Governance, Finance, International Economics, International Business